Flying in the day of the cruise...

[DaisyGirl55]

Usually we fly in to the port the day before the cruise...you know...just in case. This time, we probably will fly in to SJ the day of the cruise since the ship does not sail until 10pm. Never sailed on a cruise that left that late. Other questions arise regarding that, but first things first.

 

I am guessing that boarding starts around 6 or so. My question is this: if we get to SJ early afternoon, what can we do for a few hours? Don't want to just go to the terminal and wait.

 

Would we just be better off flying in a day early?

[TucsonRick]

Boarding begins at 1:00 PM.

[Coqui2007]

i just covered this on my travel blog / guide

http://www.visit-the-coqui.com/2008/05/puerto-rico-cruise-luggage-options/

 

hopefully, you will find it useful

 

have a great cruise

[lovemylab]

On our cruise out of San Juan boarding began around noon.

 

I would never fly into a port the day of the cruise. We have only taken two cruises and both times we've encountered problems with the airlines.

 

On the first cruise we took we ran into problems on the way home. The plane was having engine problems and was delayed by three hours. As a result we missed our connecting flight. The next flight we could get on was also delayed. Had this happened on the way to our cruise and we were flying in the day of) the ship would have been sailing without us.

 

On our last cruise my luggage was delayed. It only arrived in San Juan the next day.

[stones902]

Be at the ship by 11:30 (the UNOFFICIAL boarding time). Some folks drop their bags and grab a cab into town. Otherwise, enjoy the ship until your sailaway at 10 PM

[libertybelle41]

My motto : NEVER, NEVER again will I travel the day of my cruise. I've almost learned the hard way and that was lesson enough!

 

Good Luck.

[ancldaca]

Plus with the reduction of flights by our local quasi-monopoly of American Airlines, there'll be less seats to go around. Definitely come in a day early if at all possible.

[stones902]

My motto : NEVER, NEVER again will I travel the day of my cruise. I've almost learned the hard way and that was lesson enough!

 

Good Luck.

 

Our luggage also arrived a day late before our cruise from San Juan. I was definitely sweating bullets until it arrived. Fortunately, we flew in two days early so I was able to manage, including formulating a plan if my bag did not arrive. There are no malls within walking distance of OSJ.

 

One word of advice, if you are travelling as a couple (i.e. at least 2 pieces of luggage) pack 1/2 of your clothes in each bag while your spouse does the same. If you lose a bag, you are not left high and dry.

[DaisyGirl55]

thanks guys...we have our airfare tied in with our cruise just to lock in the price. If it goes down to save us some money, we'll cancel our air portion and book our flights ourselves. We figured since this cruise out of SJ isn't until next year, it wouldn't hurt to lock in our airfare in case plane ticket prices went bonkers.

 

We always fly in the day before, so if possible, that is what we'll do for this cruise as well.

[dcdiva]

If the ship starts boarding at 1:00PM and sailing is not until 10PM, what is the latest time that you can check in?? Still about an hour before sailing, or would it be earlier than that?

 

For a number of reasons, we must fly into San Juan the same day we sail. We will do all we can to reduce the risk -- direct flight, as early in the day as possible, check as little luggage as possible, etc. Our flight is scheduled to arrive at 1pm -- 9 hours before the ship sails. I am hoping this enough extra time even if there are flight delays.